Chapter 266: Chapter 265: Transformed into a Slave Chapter 266: Chapter 265: Transformed into a Slave “Then, you could visit more auctions and marketplaces, perhaps you’ll find something rewarding,” the elder told Richard.
Richard nodded, already formulating a preliminary plan to entrust this task to Alex.
“Alright,” the elder said, “do you have any other questions?” This was clearly a polite way of asking him to leave.
Richard instantly picked up the book and stood up, very sensibly replying, “Uh, no more questions. Thank you, Socratic Scholar, I’ll take my leave now.”
“Mm,” the elder responded, adding, “Actually, let me see you out.” This was obviously just a courtesy.
Richard detected the hidden meaning in the elder’s words and quickly waved his hand, “No need, I can find my way out.”
“That’s fine, too,” the elder remarked, remaining seated and rubbing his temples vigorously, obviously needing rest after the exhausting task of deciphering the patterns.
However, feeling a bit guilty for not seeing Richard out, he called out to Richard who was just about to exit, “I’ll have my granddaughter Heidi see you out instead, maybe you young folks have more to talk about.”
“Uh, that’s…” Before Richard could refuse, the elder was already calling out while massaging his temples, “Heidi, could you escort our guest out!”
With a “squeak,” the door opened and the large-eyed girl Heidi walked in from outside, said something to the elder, and then politely approached Richard, gestured towards the door, and said in a clear voice, “Please!”
“Uh.” Richard stepped out.
Another “squeak” as he just left the study and closed the door behind him, Heidi’s expression instantly changed, she blocked Richard’s path with outstretched hand, her eyes red and filled with tears, and angrily accused, “You… you big liar! You told me you liked cats and didn’t find them evil. But… but while I was making tea for Grandpa, you cruelly killed them all! I… I’ll remember you, I… I won’t let you get away with this!”
“So it did seem that way,” Richard thought to himself, offering a bitter smile and looking at Heidi, “You’ve misunderstood, I didn’t kill your cats.”
“You’re still making excuses. I saw them lying there motionless, they wouldn’t respond when I called them, what else could it be if they’re not dead?” she complained more pitifully, tears streaming uncontrollably down her face, “My Napoleon, my Caesar, my Alexander, my Octavian… sob, they’re all dead.”
Richard sighed helplessly and without further explanation, took Heidi by the hand and headed towards the cat room.
Entering the cat room, Richard grabbed a cat, loosened the clip on the back of its neck and let it go. The freed cat immediately sprang away like a resurrected statue.
“Ah!” Heidi gasped, unable to contain her astonishment.
Then, Richard swiftly picked up the remaining cats, quickly removing the clips and setting them free.
All the cats “came back to life” at once.
First stunned, Heidi then saw all the cats “meowing” around her, and she couldn’t resist but burst into laughter, then looked at Richard and asked, “You… what… what exactly happened?”
“It’s simple,” Richard explained, “your cats were hostile towards me and tried to attack me, so to calm them down, I clipped something on the back of their necks.” He summarily relayed what had happened earlier.
After listening, Heidi couldn’t help but ask, “You mean, pinching the nape of their neck with a clip makes them stay still? Wh… why?” Clearly, she was unaware of this knowledge.
Richard pondered for a moment, organized his thoughts, and then explained in a way that Heidi could understand.
“Is that so, does it remind them of their mother…” After listening, Heidi nodded slightly, wiped her tears, and said somewhat embarrassingly, “Then… I’m sorry, I misunderstood you.”
“It’s okay, but… I can go now, right?”
“Uh, yes, of course. I’ll walk you out,” Heidi replied, preparing to lead Richard out. However, she found herself unable to move— the recently freed cats were pressing against her side by side, and a few bold ones even laid across her feet, making it impossible for her to step forward.
Looking at the multitude of cats, Heidi resignedly said, “Napoleon, Caesar, Alexander, Octavian, don’t be , let me go…”
Richard shrugged his shoulders and, seeing the look on Heidi’s face, he already knew her status as a cat slave had been cemented. He spoke out, “Actually, you don’t need to send me off. I can walk by myself.”
“Uh, but… Grandpa asked me to escort you…”
“Really, it’s not necessary.”
Richard said, as he stepped out and walked away.
In the light drizzle, Richard crossed the cobblestone path, exited the courtyard, and reached the street.
A carriage waited on the street; as Richard approached, preparing to board, he heard a series of hurried footsteps from behind, followed by Heidi’s voice, “Wait, wait.”
“Hmm?” Richard stopped, turned around, and saw Heidi, having escaped the throngs of cats, rushing out in haste.
She quickly ran up close, panting heavily.
Richard’s eyes twinkled, and he asked, “What’s the matter?”
Heidi spoke up, “Well, it’s . My grandpa says he’s taken a liking to you and wants to help out. So, he sent me to tell you that there’s going to be a grand auction in White Stone City soon, and there might be something you need there.”
Richard nodded after listening, “Thanks for your grandpa’s kind gesture. If I have time, I’ll check it out.”
“But you can’t just enter the auction. You need an invitation.”
“Hmm, an invitation?”
“Yes, this one. My grandpa asked me to give it to you.” As Heidi spoke, she reached into her bosom, trying to pull something out, evidently placed close to avoid getting it wet.
But the next moment, when she reached inside, what she pulled out was… a pure white kitten.
“Anthony?” Heidi was startled, “When did you get into my clothes?”
Heidi’s face turned red with embarrassment. Worried that the kitten might catch cold from the rain, she hurriedly stuffed it back into her bosom. She reached in again and took out another item, which turned out to be… another kitten, this one with black and white patterns.
“Crassus, why are you also hiding in my clothes causing trouble with Anthony?” Heidi sighed heavily, stuffing the kitten back in. She continued her search and finally managed to withdraw a gilt-edged invitation and handed it to Richard.
After accepting the invitation, Richard said to the girl, “Please thank your grandpa for me.”
“Then, I should be going?”
“Goodbye.” Richard turned, boarded the carriage, gave an order, and the carriage quickly drove away.
The girl watched the carriage depart, then turned to go back to the house when suddenly her clothes stirred, and the head of a third kitten, yellow and white, popped out.
“Pompeii!” The girl, out of patience, stuffed the peeping kitten back into her clothes and ran into the house.
The light rain continued to fall, the threads of water seeming to thicken.